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Thursday, May 19, 2016

International Road Federation (IRF) , a global road body working for safer roads world wide has welcomed Mr Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) call for joint effort with Public Works Department of Delhi government and International Road Federation IRF) to treat and remove Ten major ‘accident black spots’ identified by Delhi Traffic police on priority basis in the capital. Delhi Traffic police has identified and provided a list of ten black spot locations where maximum number of accidents occur, based on data collected during the year 2014.

A day before Union Minister of Road Transport had written a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urging him to get report of IRF examined for rectification of black spots and send relevant proposals to Union road transport ministry for financing. The funds for removal of black spots which claimed 84 lives in 2014 will be provided by Central Government under the Central Road Fund (CRF).

“Black Spots are locations having higher concentration of road accidents. Blackspots can be improved through the application of accident investigation and prevention techniques. This involve scientific analysis of accident data, identifying the nature and cause of accidents, and designing appropriate low cost engineering interventions leading to prevention of such road accidents in the future. Implementation of such engineering interventions is a proven method to reduce road accidents and accident severity on blackspot locations.” Said Mr K K Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation (IRF), a global body working for safer roads across the globe.

K K Kapila, Chairman

International Road Federation (IRF)

“Simple engineering measures such as improving visibility by removing hazards, installation of street lighting, redesign of junctions/ roadway to accommodate the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, provision of appropriate road markings and traffic signs, provision of crash barriers, minor layout changes in the road/ junctions, etc., are proven measures which significantly reduces road accidents. Such low cost engineering measures are easy to implement and provide significant social and economic returns by way of reducing accidents and fatalities. In countries where such investments were made, monitoring and evaluation of improved blackspots show remarkable reduction in incidence of road accidents.” Mr. Kapila said.

“In a country like ours, where majority of population walks or cycle for their needs, it is important to develop a road infrastructure accommodating their mobility requirements. Unfortunately, the exposure to risk for pedestrians and cyclists on our existing road infrastructure remain very high, which is one of the main reason for high number of accidents and fatalities, particularly in urban areas. Taking up blackspot improvements will go a long way in reducing road accidents and improving road safety of all road users.” Mr. Kapila added.

“Delhi recorded about 1900 road deaths during year 2015 , which is one of the highest in the country for a metropolitan city. After the pilot project of improving the prioritised ten black spots, rest of 118 identified accident spots will be taken up in a systematic manner. The blackspot removal program will be taken up with funding from MORTH, MPlad fund of the local MPs, MLA’s and budgetary allocation of PWD.” he said.

“Engineering measures to improve road safety are being taken up across the country on new roads, but the existing roads are still being neglected. IRF has suggested to Union and State Governments that whenever a new road is being taken up for development, existing roads having at least three times the length of that new road shall be funded for implementing low cost safety engineering measures. IRF is also in talks with corporates to fund road safety initiatives where their manufacturing units exist. IRF recognise and maintains the view that improvement in road safety requires a coordinated and sustained effort among various stakeholders including police, road agencies, transport officials, health and education department, motor unions, commercial and business enterprises and NGOs.” said Mr. Kapila.